Following his World Championship victory in Mendrisio last year, Cadel Evans promised to give a jersey to both the chapel atop the Madonna del Ghisallo climb as well as the Museum that sits adjacent from the sanctuary. Almost a year on from his victory, Evans kept his promise and on the occasion of the beautiful event, he spoke with La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"It is a great honor to wear the jersey of the World Champion, but it is also a great honor to give it away. I always train here ahead of the Giro di Lombardia, and I always stop at the top of the climb, a little out of curiosity, a little bit to catch my breath, and to fill my bottles at the fountain."
Like many, Evans admits to being moved upon entering the chapel, but one bike that catches the eye of many, holds particular significance for the Australian.
"Inside the church, there is the bike of Fabio Casartelli. I began racing in Italy when he died in the Tour de France descending off of the Portet d'Aspet. It was 1995. His accident affected me deeply. When I saw his bike hanging on the wall, it made a huge impression."
It's undoubtedly a special place for anyone, religious or not. Evans confesses to the latter and says that he's, "an atheist, but there are universal values, from Buddhism to Christianity," that he holds close to his heart.
The winner of La Fleche Wallonne earlier this year describes the ceremony and can't help but take a wry look back at the bad luck that struck him down in France.
"I handed over the jersey today and Don Luigi prayed that this offering will protect me, help me, and he said maybe it would help me to avoid falling. Maybe it would have been better for me to give the jersey away before the Tour de France. He also said that there is glory in everything in the world. His words moved me."
For anyone that has visited the chapel, it's a place of humbling awe, and it's something that the sometimes irascible Evans did not fail to note - his jersey would go alongside those of some of the greatest riders the sport has ever seen.
"It is great to keep company with the genuine heroes of cycling, from Binda to Bartali, Coppi to Magni. The rainbow jersey is an important symbol. This cathedral for cycling certainly deserves it."
When asked about his injury, Evans confirms that, "It's better, but it hasn't healed yet. I cannot fully extend my arm. I try to avoid contact, and if someone touches it, I jump in pain. So far, I have alternated between rest and rehabilitation, and now I have started to train on the bike. It's actually better to train on the time trial bike, because I can support my forearms on the bars, whereas on the road bike, I have to hold myself up and control the bike."
The healing process is not a quick one, and for Evans to repeat his World Championship success of 2009, he'll have to do it with very little racing in his legs.
"I wanted to do the two ProTour races in Canada, but instead, I will begin again with a small race in Holland, then I'll do Paris-Brussels. In all, I'll do four or five days of racing before flying to Australia to defend my title."
The BMC captain has had an incredible 2010 campaign that has spanned a huge array of events, but it's hard not to wonder if it was all just a little too much.
"When we planned the season, it was November 2009. I knew that by signing with this team. I would be without a ProTour license. I do not regret it. I won Fleche Wallonne and a stage in the Giro. I wore, if only for a day, the pink jersey at the Giro and the yellow jersey at the Tour. Without my sickness at the Giro and without my crash at the Tour, I would have succeeded with much more. That's how it goes though."
La Gazzetta correspondent, Marco Pastonesi, asks Evans about his two Italian teammates, Santambrogio and Ballan.
The former podium finisher at the Tour de France has struck up a close relationship with Santambrogio: "He proved to be a good roommate, but this has led to a friendship. He has a gift for making me laugh. I always says that he looks like the actor, Ben Stiller. At the Tour de France, when Stiller climbed on to our bus, I thought I was seeing double. 'Santa' is Stiller's double."
As for Ballan? "He's a very good friend. He always knows how to race, and he's very generous. I also have to remember Fabio Baldato, who is one of our sport director. He's one of the people that I really trust."
Evans's coach, Aldo Sassi, is currently struggling with cancer. Evans spent a few moments talking about his relationship with the legendary Italian trainer: "He continues to give me lessons. At first he only affected me as a rider, but now he guides me on how to live. His fight against cancer is extraordinary. He has a strength, a grit, an unexpected determination. The other day, he called and announced that he would come to see me at home, and he was going to ride a bike. I asked him what the doctors would say about that, and he replied, it's my body, and I want to."
It's not often we get the privilege to get too close to the World Champion. It's a refreshing moment to hear a relaxed and candid Cadel Evans.